The party with gypsies had gone well into the night. Madeleine, had returned very early the next morning. Exhausted but exhilarated. So, she wasn't surprised when she woke up to see that it was most likely nearly noon.

Madeleine dressed and headed down to the kitchen to get something to eat. Henri was at the table whittling something.

"Long night?" he asked cheekily.

"Like you wouldn't believe. But it was wonderful." Madeleine said with a smile.

"I'm glad to hear it. There's a letter for you from back home," Henri pushed a folded piece of paper towards her.

Curious Madeleine picked it up, expecting the regular news about what was happening back home. Her eyes widened as she read the letter when she finished she looked at Henri with shock.

"Father is sick," she told him. Henri looked up, startled.

"What?"

"It says here he's ill." Henri took the letter from her and read it for himself.

"This is terrible," he said softly.

"I need to go back. He'll need someone to care for him," Madeleine said feeling her heart sink.

"Of all the times for this to come," sighed Henri. Madeleine stood up and went to grab her cloak.

"I have to go tell Clopin," she said regretfully.

"What will you say?" asked Henri. Madeleine shook her head.

"I'm not sure."

HoND

Clopin was not at his puppet cart when Madeleine came to look for him however she did spot Esmerelda a street over. Madeleine approached her.

"Bonjour," said Esmerelda cheerfully.

"Bonjour," said Madeleine although she could not return the same level of cheerfullness. Seeing her grim face Esmerelda pulled them into an alley.

"Do you know where Clopin is?" asked Madeleine.

"Not exactly but I'm sure I can find him fairly quickly." Esmerelda said.

"Alright. Can you tell him to meet me at Sunset Hill at 4?" she asked. Esmerelda nodded.

"Yes, but what's wrong?"

"Something has happened that I need to speak to him about." Madeleine replied. Esmerelda gave her a worried look.

"I'll tell him. And you know you can always come to me if you need anything. We're practically sisters now," to Madeleine's surprise Esmerelda hugged her but s

"Thank you, Esme."

HoND

Madeleine paced back and forth. She had chosen this spot for it's seclusion and emotional significance. It was where they had first confessed their love.

She looked up to see Clopin approaching. He hurried to her.

"Esme told me you wanted to see me. Is everything alright?" he asked taking her hands.

"Not exactly," Madeleine said quietly. She took a deep breath and continued.

"My father is ill and I need to go home and look after him. And in light of that I thought it was best I return this." She took off the ring and made to press it into his hand. Confusion filled Clopin's face.

"I'm sorry for your father but I do not understand the need to break off the engagement. Do you no longer love me?" Madeleine placed her hands on his shoulders.

"Clopin, I love you more than life itself. I will always love you. But I do not know how long I will be away. You are the King now and soon you will need to start producing heirs. If this illness extends for a long time. I do not wish to keep you from being able to marry another. Or if you should come across someone you find suits you better." Madeleine felt tears enter her eyes and tried to blink them back. Clopin raised his hand to caress her face.

"Mon coeur, nobody is better suited to me than you. If I am to marry it will be you and only you. Therefore, I will wait however, long it takes for you to come back to me." He took the ring and returned it to her finger.

"You will?" whispered Madeleine.

"Of course," Clopin leaned in and kissed her. Madeleine wrapped her arms about his neck as his hands went to her waist.

They pulled apart for air and leaned their foreheads against each other.

"Distance cannot stifle our love." Clopin told her.

"Nothing will," Madeleine replied before kissing him again. In her mind she wondered how she could have been so lucky as to find Clopin. She knew he loved her but she never would have dreamed that anyone would be willing to wait for her. Internally she swore that come what may she would return to him. For now she would savor the feeling of his lips on hers.

Author's Note: Bit of a short chapter I know but I wanted to make sure to stick to my chapter a week schedule. Thanks to everyone that has commented and read this story. Your support means a lot! Please leave your thoughts below. I love hearing from you. Until next week!